Local Girl Scouts to Receive Gold Awards May 21

May 18, 2006

Senior Girl Scout Emily Andersen introduced the comforting properties of music to seriously ill children at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House. Her Gold Award Project was entitled “Healing Harmonies.” When illness invades a child’s life, it can be very difficult for that child to express his or her feelings. Sometimes, a child’s emotions can become so overwhelming because they have no way of communicating their feelings. Music helps create pathways for children to express their thoughts and feelings. Emily had the opportunity to use her skills as a harpist and vocalist to engage children in the make-believe world of Camp Wha-Cha-Ma-Call-It complete with S’mores and SWAPs (Special Wha-Cha-Ma-Call-It’s Affectionately Pinned). Emily held nightly “singing around the campfire” in the tradition of Girl Scout Camping creating an atmosphere in which children could enjoy music and stories that addressed issues such as courage, fear, sadness and joy.

As a junior at Westridge School for Girls, Emily plays varsity soccer, track and field, and lacrosse in addition to Girl Scouts. She studies harp and voice and sings with the Chamber Chorus of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus. Emily has sung numerous operatic and other choral works with the LA Opera, Master Chorale and the LA Philharmonic. She was honored to sing solo at the opening of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. She also is an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, San Gabriel Valley/ Pomona Chapter.

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Although there are many people who helped tremendously in her Gold Award Project, Emily would like to thank her mom and dad for their support and encouragement. Holly Rundburg from PRMH helped make her project possible. She is also appreciative of the years of support provided by her Girl Scout Troop Leaders.

Natalie Burrows

Natalie’s Gold Award Project had two parts. First, she directed a volleyball and basketball clinic at the Los Angeles Christian School. On a Saturday morning, Natalie, her sisters and two other Girl Scouts led drills and games at the school. Then, she conducted a “give a ball, get a smile” collection drive where she collected sports balls to benefit the children at Los Angeles Christian School. She received generous contributions from troop members and friends.